Indian Embroidery

Embroidery is an important element in Indian fashion right from prehistoric times to the modern fashionable times. Embroidery adds to the look of the material with beautiful designs on them. Materials like metal strips, beads, quills, pearls and sequins are also used in Indian embroidery. Embroidery is classified according to the type of stitch that is done to the fabric. Some of them are names as free embroidery, counted-thread embroidery, surface embroidery etc.

Hand embroidery is thousands of years old and its exquisite use can be seen throughout history of India. The Kantha Embroidery is the one the most popular form of embroidery practiced by the rural women in India. It was on dhotis and saris that the traditional form of Kantha embroidery were done. Kantha Embroidery is a simple stitch that is made on the borders. Themes of day to day activities are a common subject for this embroidery. The present fashion industry uses Kantha embroidery on garments like the sarees, dupatta, kameez, shirts for men and women, kurta etc. The base fabric used is cotton and silk.

Gota and Kinari embroidery is yet famous Indian embroidery used extensively on designer sarees. It involves placing woven gold cloth onto other fabric so as to create different e textures on the surface. Kinari embroidery also known as edging, predominantly practiced by Muslim craftsmen, is the fringed border decoration.

The Phulkari embroidery is a type that is extensively used in Haryana and Punjab. Birds, flowers and human figures are normally embroidered on red or orange cotton khadi cloth. Phulkari embroidery is put on to the cloth from the reverse side using needles and one thread at a time. The embroidery is usually done with silk or satin thread. Indian embroidery is a highly respected art in foreign countries.